Why do people build replica cars? For the technical challenge? Novelty value? Or simply because they can’t afford a sports car, but can afford to spend days transforming their regular wheels into a more exotic shape?

The phenomenon of replica cars – ordinary vehicles made up to look like sportscars and luxury cars – has a dedicated following.

Have you tried your hand at building a replica car? What do you think of them?

I remember back in the early nineties seeing a replica Testerossa which was basically a heap of junk underneath some clever styling kit that managed to sound like an Escort with a blown exhaust when running.

I think that’s the biggest issue with replicas – the styling may be close but if pushed to perform you’re going to look extremely silly very quickly. Essentially they’re over-stuffed posing-pouches.